The Centre for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA) has condemned the order of transfer made by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court transferring its case challenging President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials from Kano to Abuja.
The CFRPA had on 26/6/2026 filed a suit in Kano to challenge the academic credentials presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and raised serious constitutional questions under Sections 131 and 137(1)(j) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
But the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, following an application by the lawyers of Tinubu, transferred the case from the Kano Judicial Division to the Abuja Division.
In a statement, Kalu Kalu Agu, Head, Legal Unit of CFRPA, rejected the action of the Chief Judge.
“Our grounds for rejection are as follows:
“The application for transfer was initiated and written by lawyers representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The speed and manner of granting the transfer, gives the impression of preferential treatment and creates a reasonable apprehension of bias on the part of the office of the Chief Judge in favor of Mr. Tinubu and his legal team.”
“Kano is where many of our witnesses and members reside. Transferring the case to Abuja at the instance of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu imposes unnecessary hardship, cost, and inconvenience on the Plaintiff and is designed to frustrate the case.
“The move from Kano to Abuja appears to be a deliberate attempt to shop for a more convenient forum for Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is the sitting President and to avoid public scrutiny in Kano.
“The judiciary must not only be impartial, it must be seen to be impartial. This transfer, done at the behest of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the President’s lawyers, erodes public confidence in the independence of the Federal High Court.
“CFRPA therefore demands that the Honourable, the Chief Judge immediately reverse the transfer order and allow the case to proceed in Kano where it was properly filed.”
The statement said if Tinubu has nothing to hide regarding the allegations of forgery of academic credentials, “why is he afraid of going to the North to stand trial and defend himself in Kano?”
CFRPA said it remains committed to the rule of law, constitutionalism, and accountability in public office, adding, “We will use all lawful means to resist any attempt to pervert the course of justice.”
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